Thursday, October 27, 2011

I don't have much to blog about these days... life is moving at a faster pace than I like sometimes!

I am healing. My leg/ankle/foot is not as bruised or sore. Still a bit to go, but I'm definitely seeing improvement! I am praying for healing in my hand...I want this cast to stay off on November 15 when they take it off to xray!

Nik worked with a company to design a youth group shirt and they came in the mail today! He called right before lunch to tell me about it and I asked him if he wanted to take me out to lunch and show it to me - of course, he said yes. So I had an unexpected lunch date with my cutie husband!

Nik modeling the new shirt

Nik's Ministry name is 'Get R.E.A.L.' (Reaching Eagerly After Life)

How Nik got the idea for this logo is really cool. I don't know the story well enough to explain it...maybe one day.﻿

This week, I resumed cleaning houses for the people I clean for. I was not sure how it was going to go - but so far, so good. There are only a few things I cannot get done, and that is ok.

Beginning tomorrow, we have a non-stop schedule for a couple of weeks. Fun stuff, but still non-stop. Nik and I were talking today at lunch about when we were going to celebrate our anniversary and we have penciled in an evening - that is if Nik's work calendar is clear that day! We'll see how it goes...

This anniversary will be our 'Golden Anniversary' - which means, we are celebrating the the number of years as the date of our wedding. So we will be celebrating 9 years of marriage on November 9!

Let's see...what else...

I guess that's it! This weekend we are looking forward to:

* Celebrating a friend's retirement from the army
* Shopping for final stuff before the big wedding next weekend
* Nik taking the teens to a Church Halloween Event called "Hell House"
* Helping set up for our Churches "Fall Festival"

Monday, October 24, 2011

Friday night was Volleyball night and I think everyone had a great time. (Since I could not play, I stood on the sidelines and took pictures!)

Steve and Jennifer - we really missed you! Hope you are feeling better.

Saturday morning I left early and headed to Texarkana. I had some very yummy mexican food with Nik's parents for lunch. After lunch it was time to setup for Anna's Bridal Shower.

Here's a pic of the cookies I had someone make for the shower - aren't they so cute?!

And a pic of Anna:

The shower was a lot of fun...no pics of the fun lingerie she received....but here is a pic of us:

At the shower, we all wrote messages to Ryan (the groom)...on a pair of undies, and gave it to him later that evening:

Sunday I went to church with Nik's family and then we had another Wedding Shower to attend. They got lots of great stuff! (It made me wish people could have Wedding Showers for 9 years of marriage...!)

After the shower, I hit the road back home. It was a fun time and I was so glad I was able to be a part of it all!

I'm not real sure what all Nik did while I was gone...but I came home to a fridge and pantry full of food, plus a sink empty of dishes, the house picked up and the bathrooms cleaned! Way to go, Nik - you sure did make this girl happy!

Friday, October 21, 2011

Upward Evaluations were this week. And they were fun! It is always great to see people you have not seen in a year. I took no pics of the evaluations because we were so busy! I worked with volunteers to register kids, take their height, and get their jersey size. Nik worked with volunteers running each kid through basketball drills. We got there at 5pm each night and did not go home until 9pm - Both of us are now exhausted!

Nik does have a day off today, and I know he sure does need it. Running evaluations this week, taking care of me, and taking care of the house has been a big job! Oh yes, he also baked 2 cakes Wednesday afternoon that I was supposed to bake!

I did snap a pic of us last night before we headed out the door -

Nik and I sporting our Upward shirts

﻿

So when I fell last Saturday, I had no idea how much damage I actually had done to myself. Yes, I broke my hand, but the bruises are what's so crazy to me...they are everywhere! Almost everyday Nik or I find new bruises on my body. Here are the latest pics of my left leg and ankle:

Bruised and swelling all over

The ankle - pretty bruises and more swelling!

Ok - enough of my injuries. By the way, I am so thankful still - it could have been much worse!

This weekend I am headed to Texarkana to stay with Nik's parents and attend a couple bridal showers for Nik's brother and fiance (Ryan and Anna). I'm really looking forward to it!

This afternoon I will be running errands, packing, trying to clean my house and wrapping gifts (with NIk's help). Tonight, instead of playing volleyball, I will be score keeper and going to bed early.

By the way, if some of my sentences don't make a lot of sense, it's because I type way slower than my mind works and half the time I forget what I was going to type! So, stick with me...hopefully, I will get better!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

So, my right hand is broken. I broke my ring finger bone close to my wrist. I am thanking God that I did not have to have surgery or have to have anyone set it! It was a clean enough break where they were able to just cast it.

I will have my cast on 4 weeks - then they will remove it and do more x-rays. Depending on how I have healed, they will either cast me again or I will be healed enough to start physical therapy.

The rest of my body is healing. I am still finding new bruises everywhere from my fall, but am feeling pretty good today!

(which is now more swollen, bruised, wrapped up and awaiting a doctors appointment).

So as I stated before, Saturday was an adventure! We went with our friends, the Lentzs, to Zylker Park in Austin for a mountain bike ride. About 1 mile in, we came upon some very big boulders and rocks. And I totally biffed it. I have fallen before, but not like this. I fell down some of those boulders and rocks. It was a pretty hard fall. I finally got up (was hurting a bit) but kept going because I didn't think it was that bad.

About 3.5 more miles in, my right arm started spazzing and I could not move it anymore. At that point I was crying (out loud, not the pretty kind) because I was in so much pain. After I calmed down and checked over my injuries - that is when I noticed my hand swelling. I knew I was done riding at that point.

But the problem was that we were 4.5 miles in. Which meant I had to hike (while guiding my bike) 4.5 miles out. That was tough. Everyone else was great. So nice about it. I felt bad for slowing them all down and walking back - but I had no other choice!

On the walk back, we came across this cool area and took some pics of the boys:

William and Nik

Nik

William

Nik

After we made it back to the car I took some ibuprofin and started to feel a little better.

Today, I am bruising up pretty bad but my arm is actually starting to move again. I do not have full range but am better off than I was yesterday. I am going to try to get into see the doc tomorrow and get some x-rays of my hand. I'll keep you updated.

I am typing this one handed. This is getting long. So I'm going to go now.

P.S. Nik has been so great helping me out, since I can really only use one arm and hand. Thank you, honey. You are amazing!﻿

Friday, October 14, 2011

It's supposed to be fall, right? Tell that to central Texas weather! It is not very cool here (although I am so thankful we are out of the 100's after 80+ days!) I'm doing all I know to do to make it feel like fall. Including some fall decorations around the house:

Door hanger on my front door.

Decorations around my fireplace.

Dining room table decorations.﻿

It's not much, (and I have yet to buy some pumpkins) but it does help me to enjoy the fall season! Soon, I will be baking bread and drinking apple cider!

But now, I have to get to bed. We are headed to Austin in the early AM for a bike ride and then Greek food! First some updates...

* We are borrowing a dryer for now - until we buy a new one. Very grateful.
* A friend gave me a sewing project to work on. I broke my needle last night. Still learning.
* I picked up my bridesmaid dress for Nik's brothers wedding coming up soon! It is red.
* We had lunch today with our friends Chris and Kylee, who were driving through Temple. Great lunch - Great company. They would not let me take a pic of us so I will leave you with one of me and Nik from just a few minutes ago:

Yes, my hair is pulled back and baretted. Yes, I have a crazy funny hairline (thanks, dad). What you do not see - is my hair in a bun on the top of my head. Yes, it is pretty (ha).

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

I do not like the Shred. I decided this last night, while FINALLY STARTING IT UP AGAIN (applause, please)! I stopped half way through the video and said out loud (to myself) "I. Do. Not. Like. This."

And that's that.

I have decided that, in place of this one Fall Bucket List Item - I am going to do some sort of physical activity for 30 days. There are much more fun activities out there to do than stay inside, staring at another person's tanned, very-in-shape body.

Side note: Monday, while riding my bike (pedaling hard, uphill, out of breath...get the picture...?) this very tanned, very-in-shape, blond girl passed me on her bike. When I say 'pased me' what I really mean is 'sped by me so fast'. I was thrilled. Let me tell you. But I just kept pedaling....that's all a very white, not-in-shape person can do...right?!

Where was I? Oh, yes...no more Shred. For now, anyways! And I have done some kind of physical activity for 2 days now....28 more days to go!

On another note. Not to be confused with a side note....

Last night I went to a friends house to organize her kitchen cabinets...and then I swept her kitchen floor (for fun!). When she mentioned it to me (about organizing her kitchen cabinets) I jumped on that opportunity. Because I love to organize things. I pestered her until we set a date to do it and yesterday was the day! In two hours I re-arranged and organized every kitchen cabinet and drawer plus her pantry plus swept her floor. She mentioned other organizing projects in the future...I can't wait!

Another note...

My cutie husband is back home tonight from a short trip to Oklahoma. My heart is happy.

P.S. Like my new fall design on the blog? Anyone who does not comment...I'm going to take that as a YES!

Monday, October 10, 2011

This past weekend my 'work' church opened up a Community Prayer Trail. The pic below is a picture of the newpaper picture that was taken last week:

Saturday Nik and I went to the Prayer Trail Opening/Dedication which was folllowed by a BBQ Dinner. We had a great time!

There was a large tent set up on the land at the location where their new church will be built.﻿

The BBQ Dinner under the big tent.﻿

My co-worker Gail, and I at the opening of the Prayer Trail.

*********

After PM church Sunday night the Children's Ministry had a fundraiser-supper. At the supper they decided to play a game: "Are you smarter than a Bible Quizzer?" (Our Children's Ministry does Bible Quizzing). They picked 7 adults to go against 7 of the quizzers....Nik was one of the 7 adults (no pressure).

It was really funny! He was asked a pretty tough question, from the book of Matthew. He was struggling with the answer and in the picture above, you can see him pulling out his cell phone to find the answer...but that was not allowed - and Nik is not smarter than a Bible Quizzer!

Our dryer is broken. Again. Nik was unable to fix it this time - but he gave it a good try. Last night, at 8:00pm Nik took 3 wet loads of laundry to the laundromat to dry while I went to Wal-Mart and picked up some much needed items to get us through the week. We were both home by 9pm. Although it was not the most convenient to go to the Laundromat, it was kind of nice to have all the laundry dried and folded in just one hour!

Hopefully we will be able to figure something out soon with our dryer!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Wednesday night after work I went and got gas in my car. Because I had to do that, I would be later-than-usual getting home. I talked to Nik earlier that day and ask if he could cook dinner. All of it, by himself, and have it ready when I got home. (That way, we could eat together before he had to leave for church).

Fast forward...I walk in the house and dinner is cooked! He grilled pork chops, made some mac-n-cheese and had green beans ready. We sat down to eat and had a nice dinner together.

Fast forward....Before he walked out the door, he stopped in the kitchen to tell me bye. I was at the kitchen counter, trying to pry staples out of a frame with a kitchen knife. He look at me and stated "You know I have pliers, right?"

Whatever he said in those 6 words did me in. What I heard was "Stupid girl - why are you so impatient that you cannot go in the garage and get the right tool for the job?"

So I replied - out loud and with a tone - "Don't yell at me. Yes, of course, I know you have pliers. I'm not an idiot. I am just trying this first."

Nik very nicely stepped away from me and said "I'm going to church - see you in a little bit".

I can honestly say that I checked my attitude, apologized to my husband (over and over again), told him how great he was and then proceeded to find the right tool and did the job with no problems. Then I cleaned the whole kitchen and started a load of laundry. By that time, I was feeling better and went on to church.

Please tell me I am not the only one who snaps at thier spouse for No. Reason. At. All.?!

Why do we (assuming I'm not the only one) do that?!

Later that evening Nik wanted to play tennis - but I was really tired. I told him we could go play still, but he (in all his wisdom) told me that we better stay home, so I could get some much needed rest. And I did! I went to bed early and slept well. I am feeling a bit more rested today.

Nik - Thank you for being so loving and patient with me. Thank you for not responding to me in a mean manner when I deserve it. Thank you for showing me kindness. I am lucky to have you as my spouse and I thank God everyday!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Last night Nik took me out to dinner at our favorite Greek food restaurant in Round Rock. We had a Groupon that was going to expire soon - so we called some friends and made plans to go! Thank you Steve and Jennifer - we had a fun night!

Carla and Jennifer

Steve and Nik

By the way - I want everyone to know....I tried a new food! Can you believe it?! Those who know me well, I know this is a shocker. ﻿I tried Dolmades. Nik loves these things. He normally orders meat ones, but they accidentally brought him vegetarian ones. This is what they look like:

Dolmades (cut in half, with a bit taken out)﻿

First, I smelled them. Because that is what I do. They stunk. Bad. But I kept on....! Then I tasted it.....GROSS! I actually swallowed. But wow, that was not very good to me. But aren't you so proud I tried something new?! (Thank you, Jennifer, for trying it with me!) I think I will stick to my usual - Greek Salad and a Gyro.

After dinner - actually at 10:10 PM, Nik went to the movies. He went to see Courageous with our Pastor. (Too late for me to go!).

Monday, October 3, 2011

I have been working on my bucket list for 1 month now! Below are some updates to it:

Memorize 6 scriptures(2 completed!) - 2 Peter 1:3 "His Divine Power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us according to His own glory and goodness." Philippians 2:3-4 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. But in humility, consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the intersts of others.

Visit long time friends, Rusty and Diane - Completed!

Finish the shred - Have. Not. Even. Started. Yet. (Again).

Make Recipe Cards -

Get a new family photo taken -

Have 3 couples/families over for dinner -

Make a Fall Wreath -

Learn to sew and make something - Completed! I have studied my entire sewing manuel. I purchased fabric and I have spent a couple of hours at the machine, and this is what I made:

It's a teeny tiny little pillow. I had to start small. I have other fabric ready and waiting for me to make pillows for my spare bedroom. Hopefully I will complete them this next month!

Bake homemade bread - I have a few recipes I am looking at...but no baking yet.

Complete the Weight/Sewing room - Thanks to my mother-in-law, I now have a sewing cabinet! This was actually Nik's grandmother's that she passed down to me.

So, we have the sewing part of the room...now we just need the weight part of the room!

Drink Apple Cider - I have a recipe ready. I am just waiting for a cool, fall evening when I am at home.

Play Tennis - Completed! And acutally, Nik and I play tennis now pretty often!

Buy a fall decoration for the house -

Surprise 3 people with flowers(1 completed!) - I prayed that the Lord would show me who needed encouragement that particular week - and He did! He is so faithful and I am so glad I got to bless another person through this small act of kindness.

Go to San Antonio -

Pay off car loan - Close, but not there yet.

Decorate Nik's office at the church - Completed!

Have a picnic -

Eat Greek food with the Lentz's -

Buy a Christmas CD -

Lose 10 pounds - I have actually gained 2. So I guess this means, I have to lose 12 pounds, huh?! We will see how that goes :(

Buy a car -

And that's my Bucket List Updates so far....! I'll keep you posted in another month.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

We are back home now from a quick trip to see Nik's family. Nik's grandmother passed away on Tuesday and her funeral was held on Friday. It was definitely a sad time. Nik's grandmother was a really sweet, neat woman. Over the past few days I heard lots of stories and saw some great pictures of her. I know she was special to Nik and she was always so kind and loving to me.

All of Nik's family was in town and it was good to see them - especially those we do not get to see very often. Thursday night we had dinner with aunt Sharon and uncle Charles -

Also while we were there we had to play 'Spoons'. This is an insanely fun game! Although it can get rough sometimes...especially when Nik's cousin, Mike, plays. (we, meaning Mike and I, broke a chair last time this game was played!). This time - no injuries and nothing was broken!

About Me

I try to live my life intentionally. Loving my family, having fun and sharing God's love.
I have been married to Nik since November 9, 2002. We have two incredible boys - Jaxen (born June 2012) and Zane (born April 2016).
Nik is in full-time ministry; and is the Lead Pastor at New Life Community Church of the Nazarene. I am lucky enough to be able to stay at home with our two boys.
This blog is an account of our days...our memories. Enjoy this little glimpse into our world!